Basant Madhur Ensemble with Hanna Wiskari & Jon Sanders

Proudly supported by the Waiheke Musical Museum - Basant Madhur Ensemble featuring Hanna Wiskari & Jon Sanders: A concert of Indian classical music infused with Nordic and Irish folk.

North Indian Classical Music originated with the chanting of Vedic scriptures centuries ago. Since then it has developed into a highly sophisticated musical form known as ’raga sangeet’. During the Moghul Empire period in the 13th and 14th century, the sitar and tabla were developed and after some more modifications has become music popularized in the West by Ravi Shankar, and more recently his daughter Anoushka Shankar. Nowadays it is primarily presented as a concert performance art form encompassing a variety of styles from very traditional to more contemporary, while still retaining its close connection to the vocal style it originated from.

Basant Madhur Ensemble are Basant Madhur (tabla), Akhil Madhur (tabla), and Sargam Madhur (Sitar). These musicians have all been trained in the traditional form of this music and have been playing and performing both individually and together for many years.

Purnima Garg is a trained Kathak dancer born in the capital city of India and introduced to Indian classical dancing by her mother and father. Purnima was trained in ‘Jaipur Gharaana’ style from her Guru Nandini Singh and Guru Malti Shyam and is now a performer, choreographer and teacher of Kathak dance.

Hanna Wiskari is a Swedish saxophonist with roots in Nordic folk music. Her global influences are evident in her playful and masterful improvisations, which convey a depth of talent matched by a lightness of spirit. Hanna manages Ethno NZ, an artistic residency of traditional/ folk/world music for young people in Aotearoa, and other projects with a kaupapa of fostering intercultural connectivity and understanding through the arts.

Jon Sanders is recognised as a virtuoso bouzouki player, tenor ukulele player, drop D and DADGAD guitarist and an internationally acclaimed composer, with compositions drawing on elements of jazz, gypsy, funk, arabic, latino and Celtic styles. His music has been described by the Irish Times as quantum-leaping, deeply meditative, and impishly playful.

Together this group of highly acclaimed artists present a unique musical experience for audiences in New Zealand, opening a window to the intriguing, atmospheric music that emerges from a fusion between these unique traditions. Audiences are invited on a consciousness-expanding journey beyond geographical confines.

Authentic Indian chai & refreshments available. Please bring cash!